DTVHINDI
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has urged batsmen Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, who are struggling to turn their fortunes around in the remaining four Test matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, to take inspiration from India’s star batsman Virat Kohli and trust their game. .
In the first Test played in Perth, Labuschagne looked completely out of form against the Indian fast bowlers led by Jasprit Bumrah and could score only 2 runs in 52 balls and 3 runs in the second innings. In that match, Australia had to face a crushing defeat of 295 runs. Smith also struggled against Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj in the first Test match. This star batsman of Australia could not open his account in the first innings, whereas in the second innings he scored 17 runs on 60 balls.
Ponting gave important advice to Smith and Labuschagne before Adelaide Test
Ricky Ponting said in the ICC review, “Of all the batsmen in Perth, Marnus was seen struggling the most. It is true that the wicket was difficult and the Indian bowlers were bowling brilliantly but they have to find a way to change it. For this, the former Australia captain gave the example of Kohli, who was out after scoring five runs in the first innings and was out in the second innings. Was successful in making a comeback by scoring 100 unbeaten runs.
Ponting said, “Virat trusted his game and he looked like a different player in the second innings compared to the first innings. Instead of fighting the opposing team, he focused on his strong points. That’s what Marnus and Smith need to do – find their way and show strong intentions.”
Ponting asked the Australian batsmen to take more risks and put pressure on the Indian bowlers. “You have to find a way to take risks and put pressure on the bowlers because we all know that bowlers like Bumrah will not give you easy opportunities to score runs,” he said.
